‘THIS BOOK BELONGS TO JOHN ANGUS TOWN CLERK, ABERDEEN’: Poole’s Gentleman’s Pocket Memorandum Book for 1872

John Angus (1841-1913) held a key position at the heart of Aberdeen civic life during the city’s most wealthy period as an industrial and economic powerhouse in Scotland and beyond.

He has used around 110 of the memorandum book’s pages to record his appointments and events on the verso of each sheet, and kept his financial accounts opposite. There are reminders to self: ‘Arrange for Edinburgh’ (he stayed in the Edinburgh Hotel on Princes Street, 19th Jan, 1872); there are deputations to meet from the ‘Poor Association’ and appointments with the ‘Harbour Companies’ concerning municipal buildings. Angus makes frequent reference to dealing with printers and at year-end makes specific plans for correct payments. The accounts that appear opposite are for large sums each week, suggesting that these are city accounts, not Angus’s personal expenditure. Angus’s hand is not easy and he make much use of abbreviation but this is clearly a primary historical source of some significance, coming from a highly influential figure in Aberdeen history.

DESCRIPTION: Small format (12x8cm) with wraparound diced-roan almanac-style binding in very good condition, small pocket to upper cover. Angus has inscribed the front pastedown and the first of his notes appears opposite on the yellow-coated flyleaf. Folding population diagram opposite title page; 43pp bankers names followed by Almanac: one week for each opening; final printed section of peers and similar; a few terminal notes in Angus’s hand.